Kit for the trip and for the kitchen at home

Antler Icon Stripe Cabin Suitcase

A 55 x 40 x 20 cm polycarbonate case on four spinner wheels, 2.7 kg, with a TSA lock. Lifetime warranty on manufacturing faults if registered within 30 days.

Thule Aion Travel Backpack 40L

A 40-litre backpack of waxed, recycled polyester canvas, 52 x 33 x 23 cm and 1.5 kg, for those who would rather carry the bag than wheel it over cobbles.

Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Day Pack

A 20-litre daypack of 72 g that folds down to the size of a tennis ball, for the day trip once the case is at the hotel. Lifetime guarantee against defects.

Sea to Summit Hydraulic Packing Cube

Welded, water-resistant cubes with a clear window, in sizes from XS to L, so the charger and the socks are found without unpacking the case.

Cabin Max Classic Striped 5-Piece Packing Cube Set

The cheaper set. Large and small cubes and a drawstring bag for shoes or laundry, sized for a 24-litre under-seat bag, with a three-year warranty.

Anker Nano Power Bank (10,000mAh, 30W)

A 10,000 mAh power bank with its own USB-C cable built in, so there is one lead fewer to pack. Up to 30 W from USB-C; it weighs 215 g.

Apple AirTag

A coin-sized tag for a checked bag, found through Apple’s Find My network. It needs an iPhone; its coin-cell battery lasts over a year and is replaceable.

iPhone

Starling Bank

A UK current account with no Starling fees on card spending or cash withdrawals abroad, at the Mastercard rate with no markup; up to £300 in cash a day.

Airalo

Prepaid eSIM data plans for more than 200 destinations, bought and topped up in its app before you fly. Your phone has to support eSIM.

iPhone, Android

Holafly

Unlimited-data eSIMs. The Europe plan covers 33 countries, the UK among them, and shares 1 GB a day as a hotspot. Data only: there is no local number.

Proton VPN

Encrypts your connection on hotel and café Wi-Fi. The apps are open source, and the free plan has no data limit, on one device at a time.

Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iPhone

Trainline

Train and coach tickets from 270+ operators in 45 countries, in the UK and across Europe, with split tickets, digital Railcards and live times and platforms.

The Man in Seat 61

Mark Smith’s guide to travelling by train and ferry in the UK, Europe and worldwide, route by route, with how to buy each ticket. Not a travel agent.

Rome2Rio

Type in any two places and it lists the ways between them by plane, train, bus, ferry and car, before you choose which to book.

iPhone, Android, web

Citymapper

Public transport directions in the world’s major transit cities, for getting from the hotel to a lunch booking across town on time.

iPhone, Android

Netherton Foundry 10″ Oven Safe Iron Frying Pan

Spun iron made in Shropshire and pre-seasoned with flax oil, for every hob including induction, and for the oven. Heat it slowly so it stays flat.

IKEA VARDAGEN Frying Pan, Carbon Steel, 28 cm

The cheaper pan. Carbon steel for every hob, induction included, and the oven; season it before first use and wash it by hand. 15-year guarantee.

Bialetti Moka Express (3 cups)

The aluminium stovetop pot found in Italian kitchens, for coffee at home the way it is made there. Gas and electric hobs; induction needs Bialetti’s plate.

Brindisa Calasparra Paella Rice DOP

DOP rice from Calasparra for paella, arroz al horno and soupy arroz caldoso, from the Spanish importer with shops at Borough Market and in Balham.

Belazu Rose Harissa

A 170 g jar of chilli paste with dried rose petals and a slow heat, to stir into yoghurt or mayonnaise or loosen with oil and lemon for a marinade.

Clearspring Organic Japanese Brown Rice Miso

Unpasteurised brown rice miso from Japan in 150 g, 300 g and 1 kg packs, for miso soup, glazes and dressings.

Steenbergs Organic Ras El Hanout

The North African spice blend, organic, in a 48 g jar, from a North Yorkshire spice merchant certified as a B Corp.